Harry says that FOUR LIONS may not be as iconic as DR STRANGELOVE, but it is cut from the same satiric cloth!

I'm not real sure what I thought I was seeing with FOUR LIONS. I think in some ways I was expecting something more cartoonish, perhaps even bloody. What I wasn't expecting was the most biting satire that I've seen since DR STRANGELOVE OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB. In fact, in someways this could be called, FOUR LIONS OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LAUGH AT AL QAEDA.
I mean, think about the terrorist attempts since 9/11. We've had the vaunted Shoe Bomber and the Exploding Underwear Man as the biggest headlines. But FOUR LIONS deconstructs the Terrorist Cell in the same way, in the very same kind of political and societal climate, as Kubrick faced when he deconstructed the far more epic Cold War with DR STRANGELOVE... and to similar ends. It made one laugh at the notion of the level of madness that would be necessary to actually cause Global Annihilation of the entire of humanity. Here... it has been scaled down to some fairly incompetent, ill educated glory hunting pissed off jihadists from London.
For some reason I thought I was going to be seeing a mockumentary, so when I found myself watching a more traditionally made movie, I was instantly delighted. This is a superior film. So superior that it dares to make us imagine just how insanely incompetent someone must be to intentionally blow themselves up.
I get these guys. They're not Snidely Whiplash. They're a different sort. They have a sort of taste for things. They have music, their car has issues. They basically unhappy with life, but they have senses of humor, but basically, they're all pretty weak people. They have plenty of reasons to be pissed off, and no real reason to live. They feel, the best reason to live, is to die with many. And somehow, that's they're notion of being a badass, being a man. Ya know, the chicken shit way out.
Now, I'm not entirely sure why I was expecting a truly absurdly goofy film, that is here. Don't get me wrong, this is a very funny movie for most of the movie, but we are talking about a story about Suicide Bombers. Even if we hate what they stand for, even if it is the darkest of subject matter... these are still human beings that we're spending time with. They're all sorts of stupid, but they're stupidity is in a weird kind of way... endearing. Sure they spout some pretty hateful and absurdly stupid things... and as a result, we laugh. But in the end, you can be quite a bit surprised how you'll react.
This cell is made up of a motivated leader, with a wife and kid. He adapts the story of THE LION KING to his own perverse way of thinking, to prepare his son for his own death. He doesn't outwardly say that, but it is obvious that that's what he's up to. Omar's belief is that his sacrifice will make his son a better, safer man. That it could change things. But he's incredibly deluded.
He surrounds himself with friends that all either just listen to him, or the other friend / slash competitor for being the leader of their little cell. This is BARRY, played by Nigel Lindsay. He's the white Angry British Muslim, and you really get the idea he's in this for the fucking badass commitment to ruling in the hereafter. He's about causing Armageddon. He wants to be the biggest badass he could be. His plans are the most radical. The most hardcore. He's a suicide bomber because, well... He's THAT committed. Never mind the fact that he's a fucking dumbshit. The sort of guy that would seriously believe that if you just constantly shook your head, that your face will be blurry on the Video Cameras throughout London. So whenever you do anything incriminating, shake your face about violently. But it isn't that he believes this, it is more like he loves to make those more gullible than him, kinda make an ass out of themselves. He's kind of a piece of shit, in a funny kind of way.
Then you have Waj, played by Kayvan Novak. He's kind of the dumb friend that you could talk into anything. He's a follower in the friend dynamic. And he's kind of the one you're rooting for. He has a perfect character arc to inflict the most... "OH FUCK" on ya. Because, he's just so densely naive. You just sort of feel for him. Oh sure, he's the dumb fuck talked into blowing himself up for something he doesn't completely understand, but fuck it, his friends are doing it. They make it sound like a good deal. I mean really, the afterlife of a martyr sounds really kinda good... if you're this dumb. But in some ways, he's the smartest one, because he does ask questions. The other three are all about the plan. Waj, he makes with the confused face.
The last member of the titular group of Lions is Hassan. He's the newest member of the collective. But by no means, the last character. You see there are other dumb fucks, that get picked off by various acts of stupidity... that comes with not quite knowing how to create high explosives out of household goods. It's a careful process. And a scary one. But, well I was talking about Hassan. He's a young pissed off Islamic kid that is tired of being treated like a terrorist, so what the fuck, if the world treats him like one, why shouldn't he be one.
Of the 4, the one I'm most surprised is a terrorist is Omar, as played by Riz. He's got a good job, he has the wife, he has the family. He's lost family, he believes in the cause, but almost seems smarter than that. He is a true believer, but the absurdity of its purpose escapes him. It just seems to be his life/death path. He's resolved to it.
So often in films, we see terrorists that are smart... with master plans and the most brilliant of nefarious plans. But what about the shoe bomber. What about exploding diaper man? How genius were they? Might they have put a bomb on a semi-trained raven? It's possible. I suppose.
I once saw this brilliant film called THE TERRORIST by Santosh Sivan of the terrorist situation in India. It was not funny. And in many ways, I consider it this film's FAILSAFE. It presented a different perspective on the suicide bomber... but I have to say... it wasn't nearly as funny or entertaining, but I have to say... FOUR LIONS feels equally true. I mean, these Jihadists are actually great heroes of the West... but then that is Omar's dirty secret. Well, Omar & Maj.
I seriously have no idea why this film didn't get picked up domestically before Tim League of the ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE had to create a distribution company just to distribute it, but man. Here in Austin, they're gonna make some serious money with this thing.
The audience was laughing throughout and enjoyed the hell of it. It is incredibly smartly written. I mean, it isn't easy to create likably stupid, but believably human suicide bombers - that not only invite one to see the inherent absurd "What the fuck" of being some one who will die by self-inflicted & possibly accidental detonation.
At the same time that you can't help but laugh at what these guys say & believe... one could choose to not laugh once and to sadly realize... this could be closer to the truth more often than not. That what they're doing is pointless... that it is truly absurd how fucked up it is that they gauge of success, kind of absurdly makes you wish they could have died for something bigger or more worthy of our like of these characters and that ultimately this is their purpose. To entertain us on their journey to annihilation. But that, in and of itself is the joke of it all. People will die. That is assured, but how and when and why... That's the "fun" of the film.
This film picked up quite a devoted following overseas, I just hope it picks up success over here. I really feel it is something that John Stewart or Steven Colbert would love to feature on their shows, because this is exactly THAT kind of satire.
This is really really great. Just the notion that in all likelihood you might not know exactly when it'll be playing in your city, after all, DRAFTHOUSE FILMS is a startup company - here's where & when it opens in the U.S.

Now, in the off chance that you either have a theater or theater chain and want to pick FOUR LIONS up... Or if you want your local theater to show FOUR LIONS and you want to make it easy for your local theater... This is who you contact. Daniel.Metz@drafthouse.com
I really loved this film. And this is an incredibly smart, funny and oddly touching comedy about a subject that we all seem to send way too much time being consciously frightened of. We've spent most of the past 9 years as a society that has gone so far as to force citizens to irradiated strip searches in airports out of a sense of grotesque paranoia. Shouldn't we really all laugh at this.
If you think so, this is absolutely the movie to nail this particular subject to the whoopie cushion. You really should take a seat.

We got Four Lions here in the UK earlier in the year and it is a brilliantly daring film. Very funny. Chris Morris is a genius, if you've not seen his Brass Eye series then I'd highly recommend checking it out.

I thought it was set in a non-specific north western city/town before heading to London...much more poignant when you take into account the more working class roots of the North, and the fact that its less multicultural than London (not hard)

I'm really angry at your review, so angry I signed up to use talkback.
The terrorist cell are from SHEFFILED, not London. When will Americnas learn some geography??
Also, no real terrorist attacks since 9/11? Are you fucking serious? What about the 7/7 2005 bombings in London where 52 people died??? Or the 2004 Madrid train bombings? 191 people died there. What, they don't count because they're not American. Step out of your fucking bubble Harry. I expected more from you.

I liked this movie too but your review is a bit of a mess pal. These fuckers have killed and continue to kill. I agree with skeletonjack; the Brass Eye stuff is brilliant - catch as much of it as you can. Chris Morris got into a lot of shit for saying how it is with the media gawping at horrors like paedophilia and using it as a marketing tool. 'Bout time he go the recognition her deserved.

I think that the location is just as much a character as the ones Harry mentions though. In which case Harry got a character wrong, which i'm sure people would complain about. I dont have anywhere near as much of an issue with is as Shaun does, but just feel it should be corrected (i also dont think they specifically say Sheffield, i think thats just where its filmed not necessarily set)

So big surprise its getting a better reaction in the states. Or maybe Harry fancies being the patron of lost causes. Harry's reviews are honest but...then I'm reminded of his love of the Elm Street remake which 99.9 of the worlds population agree was THE.WORST.FILM OF 2010. And his falling asleep through Inception and not liking it a 2nd time. Anyway, I'm not having a go at Harry, I'm just saying this film...not that great. Sorry.

...and to refer to Omar as 'deluded' is to completely miss the point of Morris' satire. Plus the bloke is honest with his wife and the scene with her in the hospital before he departs was heartbreaking because she knows he is a man of integrity and that he ain't coming back. I'm from Sheffield. I know, and like, many lads who feel the same way as Omar, who are persecuted for how they look and their religious beliefs (I'm an atheist btw). I believe the film has gone some way to change perceptions of Muslims amongst those who have seen the film (in South Yorkshire), who were previously flag-waving racists. I hear more and more kids coming out with 'Rubber Dinghy Rapids bro' than any other catchphrase this year. This shows it's already working it's way into popular culture. Harry, if you can't understand that Omar accurately represents the HATRED and LOATHING towards US/UK foreign policy (which includes kissing Israel's ass) then we really are in this shit for a hundred years (again). The only thing Chris didn't get right was forgetting to include a simultaneously-timed false flag operation like those on 9/11 and 7/7 i.e.the government knowing about the plot but letting it happen to keep public support for their fucking Crusades at a premium. 'Four Lions' is a film that stands up to repeated viewings with the warmth of it's characters oozing from the screen. These poor working-class lads are soldiers, no matter how stupid they are believing that death is a means to an end, and therefore the old adage applies - all is fair in love and war.

Where was it not well recieved over here?
Sight and Sound loved it, as did Empire...the only bad reviews i saw were in the tabloids
and it had a hell of a run in the cinema over here, was in my local up until a month or two before it came out on dvd
i can honestly say everyone i know who's seen it LOVED it

...and the fact that friends are lending this film to each other in way that I haven't seen in a long, long time. They then discuss it, quote lines back to each other, and, ultimately, begin to sympathise with them. This is because Morris knocked the Muslim stereotypes for six. Anyway, 'The Who' are on Sky Arts... bye-eee.

Yeah, that dude set his junk on fire last Christmas and had the misfortune of being captured and held in Detroit, of all places. Easy to find humor in that shit. But there's nothing funny about the terrorist attacks our allies have suffered. C'mon, Harry. Put down the Fangoria and pick up a copy of The Economist.

Is the film that kept coming back to me when I watched this. Both are very black comedies centered around terrorism and both have a very surreal, desolate feeling towards the end of the film with the final act of terror looming. There are differences, of course. Fight Club holds your hand, explaining in small steps why somebody would do these things whereas Four Lions drops you right in to the thick of it.

Less than 5000 dead on the side of 'The Allies' (including 9/11, 7/7, Madrid and Mumbai), whereas the body count could be as high as ONE MILLION if you count (since 2001) Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and Lebanon. Yeah, those scales are finely balanced. How would the people of the US/UK feel if our country was being occupied by a foreign power.? Would we resist.? Of course we would. Sometimes, as a nation, we really are no better than hypocritical fascists. Shame on our government/Blair for following the Haliburton Agenda.

but I could swear that Pakistan and India are two completely different countries, or at least, has been since, oh, about, 1947.<BR><BR>In fact, if I recall correctly, India and Pakistan happen to have nuclear weapons aimed at each other, which, considering how close they are to each other, would be like if New York and New Jersey had nuclear weapons aimed at each other.

1. My comments were directed at Harry's notion of Keystone al-Qaida operatives in the U.S. (He forgot to mention that numbnuts who locked his keys in his truck bomb in Times Square.) I in no way meant to overlook or diminish the suffering of those you have mentioned, but it would be interesting to know just how many Iraqi civilians have been murdered by al-Qaida and their ilk. You can't blame Tony Blair, Dick Cheney or Dubya for those, not matter how hard you try to rationalize it. Sorry. <p>
2. I'd like to see a foreign power attempt to occupy my state or the rest of 'fly-over country.' Firearm deer season only lasts a couple of weeks here. NRA members (I am not one, nor do I own a gun) would love nothing more than a year-round open season on murderous, foreign evildoers. Give 'em chance to try out all that stuff that bought at Gander Mountain. <p>
3. You and I see eye-to-eye on a lot of stuff, I would bet. You're right, evil corporations have way too much influence in the U.S. political process. I wish there was no war or violence. The world is a shitty place. Those with the power to change it are not interested in doing so. <p>
I wish you well.

Why did you get hung up that the review didn't name check Sheffield? No big deal, right? And in terms of 7/7 and the Madrid bombings, although of course horrible tragedies, the number of casualties is pretty low compared to something like road accidents and heart disease. The film does a brilliant job of separating reality from media hysteria re: "international” terrorism – it’s something to be a mildly worried about but nothing to fuck your brain over.

I thought Adeel Akhtar played a blinder. His demise is so black/bleak. The other film that no-one is referencing but to which Four Lions has many similarities is Alexander McKendrick's The Ladykillers. And, btw, anyone who references The Night Stalker is ok in my book ;-)

...intercepted Al-Qaeda email. The communications were all absurdly mundane, shit like RE: PETTY CASH FOR OFFICE SUPPLIES. HOW ARE WE EXPECTED TO WAGE WORLDWIDE JIHAD WHEN WE ARE OPERATING WINDOWS 98? ALSO, TONER IS MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE IN THIS GODLESS COUNTRY THAN WE WERE LED TO BELIEVE...

I am sure Harry didn't pay full attention to this film as his review is the worst one I have read.<br>
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First as mentioned the Terrorists are not from London but from Sheffield, and yes it is a big deal Talkbacker With no Name as it is part of the Story and the Characters.<br>
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Harry also missed out an entire Character Faisal who is just as stupid as Waj and has some of the best scenes in the film<br>
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Also Omar might have used the Lion King to prep his son, but the big scene with this is when he is twisting the story to slightly confess and OK his cock up at the Terrorist Camp. there are other things wrong with Harry's half arsed review but I cant be bothered to go on plus the fact that Harry thinks the shoe bomber and exploding underwear are the biggest Terrorist stories since 9/11 is downright offensive.<br>
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I have seen the film 5 times now and own it on DVD and think it is brilliant. Although I do wish Chris Morris had done a bit more with the Police/Government figures

but respect those who say that making a comedy might be "insensitive" to victims. agree, and i don't think anyone in this film set out to offend anyone - it was more to put a much needed humanization and sense of perspective on the face of this "jihadists". in my review a few months ago, i made the Dr Strangelove comparison, but also drew on Life Of Brian as a peer to the film. the movie has been out on DVD in the UK for a few months, order away if you are in the States and not near somewhere showing it. oh, BTW, if you like Four Lions, you will like EVERYTHING Chris Morris has done - check out in particular Why Bother....

...is if they all die in a suitably painful and horrific manner. Attempting to humanize these animals in any way is not funny, and they should be wiped from the surface of the Earth, and history re-written to erase any record of their existence. Granted, I haven't seen the movie, but I am having a little trouble imagining any possible way this could be funny without being forced to somehow accept them as members of the human race, which they are certainly not.

Your work is wonderful and I love this website. I'm always super-excited by your posts when they appear. <p> Please though, mate, get a proofreader. <p> This film is a phenomenon, though, you're right about that.

I heard this was good, but after seeing the trailer I have no desire to see it. This isn't a topic that should be made fun of considering what its done to our nation. I am not talking about 9/11, I am talking about the fear and division of the people in the country since that time. I'll spend my time watching something more worthwhile.

Your buddy buys a film to distribute and you roll out a puff piece/advertisement for it. The reason the movie didn't get much distribution is that nobody much cares for the subject matter, or the humanization of terrorists. Its not like Hollywood hasn't try to address the subject multiple times with such movie like Green Zone, Lions for Lambs, Traitor, and any other miserable flop you want to point out. All of a sudden this flick is going to light the box office on fire? I guess it does have a puncher's chance, but thats about it.

Paskisthan IS India. India is not just the country of United States of India. India was divited into 3 countries, Pakisthan, Bangladesh and the aformentioned United States Of India. So, yes, pakisthanis are indians, muslim indians to be exact. The real India, which is more then just one country that's called that, coresponds to what used to be the British India before the independence. That territory was then later divided between the 3 countries i aforementioned. This stuff is common knowledge. The reason why Pakisthan is called as such and why it's inhabitants are called pakisthanis is mostly due to the difference the indian muslim wanted to make form the indian hindus. Then later Bangladesh became independent from Pakisthan itself. Read about the partition of India after it's independence.

if the film was a cheap exploitation then it would do much better box office, since FOX news and all the yellow press would have had a field day with it. <p> This film is a comedy in order to service a proper discussion of what terrorism achieves, and who is controlling it. It's a really worthwhile piece of work, which is why nobody will see it.

India is called as such because of the River Indus. Basially india means "Land of the Indus", indus being the river. Look at the map and where is the river indus mostly in? In Pakisthan. In fac,t today's Pakisthan is where India used to be. Then the name was spread to the rest of the subcontinent. just as once Afirca used just to mean the area corrspondent to tunisia and is now the name of a whole continent, or when Asia used to mean what is now western Turkey and is now the name of a whole continent. To paraquote from Hamlet, there's more things in heavens and Earth then what you know.

Right. Harry's comparison with DR STRANGELOVE is actually quite apt for those very reasons you said. that's the spirit to which the movie should be taken. It's a comedy of a very serious business. And also exposes the inherent foolishess of that all thing, suicidal bombing in the name of a religion, the same way DR STRANGELOVEa exposed the inherent foolishness of the whole Mutual Asured Destruction (MAD) policies of the cold War. Sometimes, things can only be put into perspective with comedy.

Asimovlives - how incredibly full of shit are you? India is not Pakistan. Pakistan is Pakistan. And if you want to make tired arguments over what the continent was like a few hundred years ago, at least fucking learn how to spell the countries you're posting about. Paskisthan? Where the fuck is that? India. Pakistan. Seperate countries.
Jeez.
The film, by the way, is a marvel. Biting satire on one hand, on the other a sotry about if you ask four guys to arrange anything, they'll fuck it up.

Don't blame me for your ignorance, fool. INDIAN is mor ethen just the name of a country. INDIA is a territory, a subcontinent. In that subcontinent there's 3 countries, pakisthan, United States Of India and Banglashesh. You could even count Ski Lanka to that because the island is in the indian continetal shelf. india is a subcontinent and Pakisthan is an indian country the same way that France is an european country. There's more to India then jus the name of ONE country. The one full of shit here is you because you are ignorant of this. Got it now?

Saw this film a few weeks ago here in the u.k. , chris morris should win an oscar just for his bravery and balls of steel to take on terrorists in film like this. you come out of watching it thinking i was right blowing yourself up in the name of some god is just stupid and still makes no sense but i can kind of now see how they got to that point.

The movie just ended last night at midnight. Does Harry ever sleep?
The theatre was full so I saw the free Brass Eye screening next door. "There is no evidence but it is scientific fact": if Four Lions is half as good I look forward to seeing it. (By the way does anyone know if ski lanka has any challenging runs?)

I saw this at the UK premier in Bradford and enjoyed it but didn't find it to be quite as brilliant as some. I need to see it again to formulate a more solid opinion. I've found everything Morris has done since the end of Brasseye and Blue Jam to be a bit mediocre and whilst Four Lions was a step up it still didn't seem quite the return to form I was hoping for.

Needing to be right about shit. Or just plain angry.
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If the idea of this film makes you angry. You are exactly the person who should see it.
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And NO, paying for it in a theatre won't fund militant Jihadists in Afghanistan but might earn a struggling actor or 2 for the Midlands some residuals.

Sorry Vertigowooyay, India is the region (like saying Europe, or America, although few mean the region of India when they are trying to state the country). North America refers to the United States of America and Canada. The Americas refers to even more countries. Similarly, India can refer to The United States of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. So AsmovLives is not using the 'most common' meaning when people say India, but he is not "full of shit" either.

It is easy to assume that these types are some sort of twisted monsters in a far away land that might cause some trouble here if we are not vigilant. It is a LOT scarier to realize that some average deluded Joe who lives next door might kill you with some poorly thought out murder plot that kills a few people because he is flying under the radar.

See here in the UK when stupid people want to insult South Asian people they call them Pakis. In reference to the many Pakistani Muslims that came here in the 50's 60's & 70's. From Pakistan.
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Racists, being what they are though; thought that ALL the lighter brown people (they knew the darker brown ones were wogs & coons) were Pakistanis and called them Pakis. This incensed some Indian people Sikhs, Hindus even the Baha'i who since the Partition; and according to their Passports had considered themselves well, Indian.<br></br>
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And to this day, if you want to REALLY upset an Indian. Call him a Paki.
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However in wat of things, Modern Urban Pakistani youth have reclaimed the word Paki as their own, and it is used much like the term Nigga is, in the US of A.
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That is all.

There is no such thing as the United States of India
There is however the Republic of India
India is a country.
Pakistan is a country.
The Indian Subcontinent is the area where India, Pakistan, Nepal etc are situated.
Hope this helps!

Check out my blog for a a series called "The Raddest Movies Ever!". I go thru each year, starting with 1971, and pick the top 5 coolest movies from that year. Check it out here:
http://3dchain.instituteofidle time.com/
-Erik

Especially of what is a very serious issue. It doesn't take satire to point out what is truly ideological differences between cultures. Much of the audience who watched the trailer shook their heads too. It is already bad enough that a large majority of the US population sees someone who is muslim or islamic and the first thing they think is terrorism. It's already a polarizing issue - we don't need a tongue in cheek movie to emphasize its ignorance in contrast to western values. In the trailer a guy blows up while testing out a bomb. That isn't funny - a bomb just went off today at a Pakistan mosque and killed 61 people. That shit isn't funny.

Pakistan and India are seperate countries - try telling an Indian that they are a Pakistani or vice versa and see how long your argument lasts.<P>In your typically abbrasive reply to someone who disagrees you use the term Indian Sub Continent and that is correct now (or South Asia if you prefer) - it doesn't matter in the slightest the history of the region because the movie is not a historical film. <P>The characters go to Pakistan to train not to India - that's a huge difference.<P>This adherence to history is silly - I mean do you refer to yourself as Portugese or are you a Visigoth, or an Islamic Moor? Are you a proto fascist? Or is it easier to just refer to you as someone from the Iberian Peninsula? You're Portugese because that is the country that currently exists. India may have once been larger but now it is a defined country with defined borders.

Brother, you take a lot of shit for your poor grammar and general lack of possessing anything resembling writing skills but this review takes the cake. <br> <br> Harry, this goes so far beyond mess that there is no word in the English language to describe just how juvenile and embarrassing your writing is. I know this is the internet and not a classroom; I'm just as guilty of sloppy internet writing as the next guy but FUCK!!!! You should go back and read it again, as a matter of fact you should print it out and put it up on your refrigerator because as bad as your writing usually is, I don't think you'll ever be able to top this. You should be ashamed of yourself and don't let the irony get by you that you spend paragraphs attempting to tell us how "stupid" these people are but your paragraphs could be better written by a "stupid" eight year old kid. Seriously bro. It's so fucking bad I just had to say something. Fucking pathetic.

Your comment proves of the issues I have with this - people are now desensitized to its seriousness. Don't get me wrong, I'm not casting stones or criticizing the film maker or people who want to see it. I am just voicing the audience reaction to the trailer that I saw in person at an Alamo and giving my opinion as to why. This is still a raw issue for people - laughing at the issue doesn't make it any easier to understand. And I've personally traveled to 99% islamic countries and am 100% white as can be. No problems whatsoever - they have gotten a bad wrap from the glamorization of this issue. Does this movie perpetuate or deflate the issue? "Showing how stupid they are" is one-sided. Show this to the people of Indonesia who are islamic - would they find the same value in the satire?

I saw on the trailer that this film is in some way associated with the Alamo Drafthouse, and your good friend Tim League. Harry, tell me your review and the extraordinary amount coverage that's been posted about this small movie isn't a conflict of interest where you're plugging a buddy's film and gettinga kickback. Say it ain't so, harry.

If ever there was a case of Harry's journalistic integrity being compromised, it's right here. As we all know, this movie is distributed by the very same cinema chain that hosts Harry's BNAT. In addition, it's being promoted by Devin Faraci who now works for the Drafthouse - the very same Devin Faraci to whom Harry has paid money for articles and reviews.<p>It's a shame because this is a good movie but Harry's review is utterly worthless in this regard.

No one is laughing at the issue, its not a case of TERRORISM LOL. Like Dr Strangelove isnt about laughing at a nuclear holocaust. These films are a lot more nuanced than that.<br><br>
I'm dubious about the idea that any subject should be off limits for comedy because whatever the subject is, someone it likely to be offended. It's unavoidable. Most people are offended by the idea of controversial comedy rather the reality of the actual film or show. These people should at least watch the piece in question before passing judgement.<br><br>
For every person that tuts or is offended I believe there will 10 more that will have their eyes opened a little or actually think about what they believe on an intellectual level rather than a instinctual one.<br><br>
Personally I found Saving Private Ryan for example, far more offensive than any satire I've encountered and I was born 35 years after the end of world war 2.

Young men essentially bumbling for what thewy consider to be a righteous cause. How offensive it may be depends on where you stand. While I admit (as I did in another TB) there is something hilarious in watching bad guys outright suck at their mission in life, I suppose upon further reflection is the unconscious message of the film is that terrorist motivation is merely the work of "mixed up blokes" and nothing could be further from the truth. While any fanatical movement has it's bunglers there are still those who succeed with horrific results. The TBer who cited all the non-American casualties in response to Harry's flippant and ignorant review nailed it. This is a global struggle and whether it's al-Qaida and its name affiliates, LeT, AQI, ETA, HAMAS, Hezzbollah, Shining Path, the Tamil Tigers, RIRA, or the much balleyhooed domestic threat of militias in the U.S., the West and our allies should remain vigilant and remember that while they're plenty of "lads" like in the film, their collective idiocy should not reduce our vigilance.

It was too far, but it's nice that you know that, it makes you look smarter. OK, you are correct, the country's name is REPUBLIC OF INDIA, but i think that it's inicial name was united States Of India or The Indian Union. The country has changed names throughout it's history, and i mean, after the independence. And yes, there's more to India then just the country that bears it0's name, India is alos a region, a subcontinet. To say that Pakisthan is in india or that pakisthanis are indians is not incorrect. They are indians, muslim indians. they they in the country of pakisthan formed their own pakisthani identity, which only came to be AFTER the seperation of pakisthan from the Indian Union, is a fact we shouldn't forget. The pakisthani identity didn't existed before the independence, before that, all there was was indians. some muslim, some hindus. That's it. Pakisthanis are indains as me, a portuguese, is an iberian and an european. If some fierce pakisthani nationalist refuses to see himself as an indian, that's just his own nationalistic bullshit talking. Like all nationalistic crap is.

God, man, did youe ven read what i wrote? OF COURSE AN INDIAN IS NOT A PAKISTHANI, did i ever said that? What kind of moronic coment is that? Pakisthan exists only after it's seperation from the Indian Union. The Indian Union was the country that became after the british proclaiem the independence of their former colony of India. until then, what was pakisthan was nothing more then just a collectionof the most westernmost provinces of India in which there was a majority muslin population. Pakisthan WAS INDIA. Not the vice-versa, you silly boy. This is history. In terms of etnicity, pakisthanis ar enot their own people, like, say, the persians. Pakisthanis are indians. Muslim indians. Deal with it. Ignorance is not an argument, you know?

OK, let me give you another example of what i'm saying: you know when Alexander the Great invaded India? You know what part of India he invaded and was stoped by in his conquest? It was in what is today's PAKISTHAN. That was india. It is india, in the greater definition of the term. you got it now? Hell,the very name of India cames from the Indus Valley iwhich is today mostly in pakisthan. got it now? This is history and geography. If pakisthanis dn't like tha,t that's because of nationalistic bullshit which they have been brianwashed since the early 50s came the independence. The same fuckign way the fascist goverment in spain until the late 70s refused to acknowledge that there was variosu different types of spanish but only one, ignoring the gallician, andalusian and catalunian culture and traditions and language. It's all just nationalistic political bullshit. The difference between a pakisthani and an indian is just at which side of the border you were born and nothing else. Nothing else.

slow motion video of the "terrorists" climbing across monkey bars and running across balance beams. It's funny that those images on the news actually scare people. Elementary school children do the same thing at recess, how intimidating/threatening! We should put 9/11 in context. Anyone at the time could have hijacked a plane and drove it into a building. The terrorists were just lucky we didn't have security doors on the cockpit and we were naive about their intention. They were also lucky the towers fell, they didn't expect them to. Heck, no one did. That's why it took them so long to figure out how they fell. It was a small group of men who wanted to terrorize America by crashing planes, and they succeeded in terrorizing us. Think of how America changed because of the acts of such a small group of people. They could have been from any group. Think of the threats tea-baggers are espousing now (violence, overthrow of government) if we don't do what they say. Not much difference. While we need to take the threats seriously, we shouldn't let individual threats rule our lives. That's exactly what they want.

How i fucking hate ignorance. Fucking hate it, man. And the thign that makes me hate even mroe is ignorants who think they know it all when they know jack shit besides what goes on in their neighbourhood! Fucking pisses me off!! Small wonder Bush got elected twice!

And by the way, it's portuguese. Notice the U between the G and the E. and yes, the portuguese also almoçarabes as we are visigoths as we are romans as we are cletiberians as we were lusithanians as we were celts and as we were pre-celtic iberians, we are all that. And proudly so. We are all that. That's being portuguese too. What we are today is the result of living history. Denying that would be stupid and wrong. Got it now? history is not just stuff form the past, history is we today. Ignore it at your own fucking peril.

You are sticking with the bizarre idea that Pakistan is in India - which geographically it's not - it's in Pakistan. Saying that the only difference is what side of the border they were born on makes as much sense as me saying you're Spanish. When Britain handed over independence to India they handed it to India. The in 1956 Pakistan became an Islamic republic - so we have the difference of border and fundamental ideologies. Your argument is flawed in that India as it was when the Macedonians invaded, whatever the point of that story was, no longer exists. The India which the British ruled apart from small parts such as Goa, no longer exists. <P>India is India, Pakistan is Pakistan they both exist on what is the Indian Sub Continent - so when people go to Pakistan they're not going to India - they're going to Pakistan - it says that on their tickets. They might be on the Indian Sub Continent but it's not India - do I have to keep on repeating this so it gets through that 'passion' of yours? Or do you finally get what I'm saying?

Your third paragraph is a very good point - there are a group of people that will respond to this and it will open their eyes to it. It won't be group that causes the problem though. If anyone is interested in reading something that is truly a contrast of ideologies without directly casting stones, check out "Under the Banner of Heaven" by John Krakuer. It will open your eyes - we are no more holy and they are no more guilty.

Who you are calling son, sonny? And dude, the one ignorant of history and geography in here is not me. Try learn more about the world before the year you were born, okay? What wonderful wonders you will find.

The Indian subcontinent, which once used to be called just India, as in, the time when the british ruled that land, is today home to the countries: Republic Of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Ski Lanka (it's in it's continental shelf). Republic Of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh once were part of the British india, which was th whole of what once was called India. Pakistan is in India. The Greater India, if you will. Deal with it.<br><br>As for my english, allow me to flip that coin for you: how's your portuguese? Allow me to ask anotehr question: How fluent are you in any other language then your own native one? Shall i even venture a guess? You know, when you are ignorant of a subject, you should be humble about it, not arrogant, you know? You understand that, son?

You really have no clue do you?<P><P>For one you seem to think I'm American - which I'm not and you seem to be ignoring that fact that I've counterred each of your arguments with historical facts and evidence that prove how wrong you are.<P>Tell you what Asimov - when you can learn to read other peoples arguments with something resembling comprehension then we can talk but as it is, again, you've proven that you can't argue without becoming deeply offensive and irritating and as such I've just cemented that talking to you is a worthless and pointless activity.

...and unfortunately i think it takes living in the UK to truly understand what Chris Morris is saying here (along with peepshow writers Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain).
The films most prominent issue is that of representation. Who are these people? Why are they doing what they are doing?
The 7/7 bombers came from Beeston in Leeds and it is by no coincidence that these terrorists are from 30 minutes down the M18 in Sheffield. This is a setting that the public are familiar with and by doing this Morris has tapped into the Zeitgeist. Something which fans of his will agree he does excellently all the time.
When you see that almost every white character in the film is inept (Omar's colleague, the police that shoot the honey monster, the police negotiator, the phone shop attendant etc...) it soon becomes apparent that not only is Chris Morris satirising British Muslim extremists but also British culture itself (also the culture that spawned our main characters, it is assumed that they all grew up in the UK and grew to hate it).
The film itself is not about promoting one side over another. Morris is much cleverer than that. He makes the audience think (see his Brasseye special on paedophilia - truly challenging but fantastic British TV). If you don't leave the cinema with questions, you haven't got it.
See you on Puffin Party

AsimovLives:
India is a country.
The Indian Subcontinent is where India and Pakistan reside.
People born in India are Indians.
People born in Pakistan are Pakistanis.
"Pakisthanis are indains as me"
Is wrong (spelling aside. Pakistan was created so they wouldn't be Indian!
Your major problem is that you keep refering to India - which is a country as a whole region: which is wrong!
The Indian Subcontinent is a region, India is a country.
Pakistanis are NOT Indian. Indians are NOT Pakistanis.

You're all absolutely right, in fact. London is the only place in the United Kingdom. Get outside the M25 and the rest of the UK is a barren wasteland. Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Birmingham, York, Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich, Canterbury... these places are myths. The whole population of the UK all upped sticks and moved to London. That's where you'll find every single UK resident. And yes, we all do know the Queen well enough to call her Liz. We all wear bowler hats, carry umbrellas and briefcases, and wear black suits to our boring accountancy jobs. In fact, every single UK resident is either an accountant or works in a department store under Colonel Peacock. Every single UK resident has bad teeth, we have tea and crumpets for breakfast and yes, you saved our asses in WW2. Just wanted to put these rumours of British stereotypes to rest. They're all completely true. You can now sleep well, transatlantic buddies!

<p>Painful review in parts. I don't think the description of the characters is particularly accurate. It almost feels like you've missed the point. Let's not mention the absolutely unnecessary swearing throughout. Nothing wrong with it usually, but this is over the top.</p>
<p>I watched this at a cinema in Sheffield when it came out at a screening with a large muslim audience, and pretty much everybody loved the film. </p>

Seems like Harry didn't really get some of the subtle character motivations going on in this film. At times laugh out loud funny, at times uncomfortable and at the end really quite tragic. I really couldn't imagine, given the source material, liking this film. But it is excellent. </p> With the exception of Barry (and maybe Omar) the other "terrorists" are also the tragic victims of their own naivity/stupidity. When Omar walks into that pharmacy at the end after the Boots rant earlier you actually feel a sorry for him. He wakes up too late

Some of the racism exhibited in this talkback is completely unjustifiable/unacceptable and self defeating. OK, I get it, some Muslims attacked you (and me - I live in London and used those tubes). That however does not give you carte blanche to insult millions of people as "towelheads" or whatever your choice of slur is. You have to be better than that. You have to lead by example even if it goes against every instinct in your body. Because if you allow yourself to react with hate we eventually all end up throwing our own shit at each other. We are not animals. Dont let fear or anger or whatever emotion it is drag you down to the jihadists level. Just say'in

(1) The movie is ultra-liberal and feeds to the site's general political tendencies; (2) They've already bought ad space and/or started giving Harry 'special access.' I wish I could be less cynical but these days, with the exception of Massawrym, the reviews on this site just aren't trustworthy.

...I refuse to read Harry's reviews after his complacent piece on 'Inception', but I'm a talkback slut.<p>Judging by what is being written here, the review is a shill for a mate's company, it is horrifically written and there seems to be some argument here about whether Pakistan is in India.<p>Whoah! Try telling a Pakistani they're an Indian and see how long your nuts remain outside your body. And vice verse, see how long your nuts stay attached. But god bless you AsimovLives, at least you haven't started spouting your usual homophobic nonsense, telling everyone they're "faggots who love to take it up the arse" like you normally do when you get animated.<p>For one, I'm kinda glad Harry is pushing this film, it deserves to be watched. There is no topic off limits for intelligent comedy - even the worst atrocities. I'm not saying such events (and all those involved) should be ridiculed or derided (these ideas are not comedy in my book) but they should open to satirisation otherwise we're all fucked.

Though I agree with you, Harry, that it would be nice to see Stewart and Colbert latch onto this movie in an attempt to boost its appeal to their audience, whatever "THAT" kind of satire is at work in Four Lions, it is certainly not at work in the Daily Show and Colbert Report. I like Stewart and Colbert for what they do, but it's fluff compared to what Morris has done, with this film and his prior works. Putting Stewart and Colbert on Morris' level is excessive, to say the least.

Think about it lemmings. Compared to everyday street crime, drunk driving etc, your chances of being hurt by a terrorist is zilch. Now compare terrorism to the cold war. Hmm, lets see, best terrorism hit possible, a small nuke going off, one city gone. Cold war, lets see, billions dead. I laugh at you people that get all worked up about terrorists. So afraid you turn over your freedom willingly as long as people will "protect you from the terrorists".
Bloody lemmings.

MGM says James Bond 23 will be released in November 2012. Craig's status is unclear since he's committed to The Girl... movies. See Comic Book Resources for more info. They're already discussing replacements in the comments, but I'm holding out for Craig.

North America the continent is everything in the western hemisphere from Panama up, even including Greenland and the carribbean islands on the continental shelf. North America in colloquial speech means Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America, when using the term in the sense of the region. Often Canadians use the colloquial sense of North America to refer to just Canada and the USA, probably because they tend not to think about Mexico. But generally North America refers to Mexico, Canada, and America in common speech, in English (In the Spanish language, hispanic people consider North and South America to be one continent, and they sometimes lump Mexico in with central america, though Mexicans generally do not).

This is the funniest film of the year and also I loved the blu ray/dvd release in a book format.
Morris is just pure genius and doesnt give a fuck, Brass Eye is awesome so if you like this check it out.
For once Harry actually liked a film thats actually good and appreciated it for what it is, I didnt think the US would maybe get the humour after basterdising the office.
"Im a Paki Rambo!"

for a bit, I can say that most of us have no clue as to the geography of England. Until I lived there, I had no idea that, say, Manchester and London were nowhere near each other or that there was a big difference between the North and the South. On the other hand, most of the English people I hung with had some very weird ideas of American geography, as well. I am going to give Harry the benefit of the doubt, for once, and assume he's never been outside of the United States, and, therefore, wouldn't have any clue as to the difference between London and Sheffield. If your only exposure to England is through movies and tv, one would think of it as being a lot smaller than it really is.

in all fairness, Brits have alot less geography to worry about...the entire UK is only 94,525square miles. MIchigan is larger than that. Hell, 11 states in the US are larger than that.<BR><BR> So Harry doesn't know where a city or region is. Does that really meanhis perspective is flawed? come on. <BR><BR>

Morris' co-writers also write a sitcom called Peep Show. If you love comedy and have never heard of it, then find it now, it's utter genius. They also wrote the "Too many dicks on the dancefloor" ep of Conchords.

Brits and Americans have the smae amount of geography to worry about. It called the world. And some of it exists outside the North American continent. Seriously you think Brits only need to know where Manchester relative to London is? At the very least most of us know a lot about Europe (which is a comparable size to the US).

A few facts....
The film is not set in Sheffield, though much of it was filmed there. There are scenes filmed in Manchester and Oldham and other parts of the North West. So far as the film's plot is concerned, it's a non-specific northern town This is significant because of the history of immigration into the UK, and the particular ethnic mix of towns like that. It's unfair to have a go at Harry for not knowing this. How many Brits could name all 50 US states, or tell you where the Amish live, for example?
Asimov and others, India and Pakistan (spelt without an "h") are two distinct countries. The areas they cover (and Bangladesh) used to form that part of the British Empire known collectively as "India". Even in those days however there was a distinction between the regions, and as many have said, if you went there now and suggested Pakistan is part of India (or vice versa), your life expectancy would be pretty short.
The review itself is pretty poor, with only a very simplistic and quite inaccurate resume of the plot. And the spelling, grammar and simple incoherence of the language are dreadful. Were you stoned or exhausted when you wrote it? And please, try to show a bit of understanding of the world beyond your own borders - there has been plenty of serious and effective terrorism since 9/11, just not in your back yard.
The film itself is, for me, a masterpiece - and a statement that really needed to be made. As a critique of the empty nihilism of extremism, the alienation of muslim youth from western society, and the inability of authorty to understand or deal with it, it is a triumph. I worry that many Americans will not understand it, because it does not relate easily to US society and (as the cliche has it) Americans just don't get irony. I hope I am proved wrong because America needs to see and understand this film.

I didn't know it was larger than the Mongol's either.<p> Also I'm with the majority, poor review, great movie. The fact that Harry only seem's to recall the shoe bomber and some exploding underpants tit show's exactly what shit stick's to his canvas. (Although I'll give him the benefit of the doubt as he may have been using the most comedic examples on purpose.) <p>Also there's a video where Chris Morris said he got the idea after reading about a group of Yemanise terrorists who were going to drive a dinghy full of explosive's into a US warship on the millenium. As they loaded the boat full of the explosives it sank. Then they were just a group of idiot's stood around a sinking boat. Sound's just like a Mr. Bean episode to me.

1. Both shared the heritage of the ancient indus river valley civilization.
2. Both share certain ethnic and linguistic heritages.
3. Both were colonized by the British Empire.
4. Both have many Muslims.
5. Both were in fact the SAME country until as recently as 1947.

As i've already mentioned, the geography is hugely important to the story. Knowing where the terrorists come from in this film is part of their character, to assume they come from London is to offer no description on their background what so ever.
The whole film is a riff on the bombings of 7/7/2005. From the location of the bombers to the ineptitude of the police.
That seems to have been completely missed by this review.

..perhaps you'd better not watch it. <p> After all, serious matters like the cultural difference between Muslims and Non-muslims should only be tackled in dry documentaries and dramas. <p> There's nothing remotely glib or exploitational about the selective storytelling and emotional manipulation inherent in every tear-jerking story of difference and the misery of war. <p> In fact I agree with you whole-heartedly. The subject of terrorism is not something we should even wish a large audience to consider in terms of the types of characters who might decide to become suicide bombers, certainly not something for satire to discuss. <p> In future I propose subjects as serious as war, death, rape and murder should only be filmed for entertainment purposes if they present nothing but the bare, indisputable facts. Or perhaps Adam Sandler can make prime-time comedies about them as long as he only makes the most sweeping of generalisations about conflict and backs them up with bum and willy jokes. <p> After all, it's fine to make a comedy about terrorism if the terrorists are cartoon characters, and twelve year old boys can laugh about it..

Pratfalls, pants-dropping, visceral but somehow lovable. Innocent civilians are ruthlessly butchered in lieu of a pie fight. Genius, kinda like attaching canned laughter to SCHINDLER'S LIST. And it's supported by a "critic" who fingerpainted a "rave" review for THE LAST EXORCISM (and then encouraged three of his own stooges to concurrently praise the same stinker). Harry, I'm sure your writing skills were tutored by the late Forrest Tucker.

It's a movie, it's a work of fiction. Nobody is trying to say terrorism is good or killing people is funny. <p> This movie isn't a justification of suicide-bombing. <p> There wouldn't be anything to celebrate about American Pie: Spring-Break indoctrination. <p> USA are butthurt because they can't produce one worthwhile movie that reflects on the war they started. Only the feckin' laughable zeitgeist movie. <p> Please, you twats, stay away from this and 'In the loop' and the forthcoming Alan Partridge movie. Steer deadly clear of Sacha Baron Cohen and Charlie Brooker, too. <p> This stuff's too good for you. You wouldn't like it. All the more for us...!

...because the reality is just too freaking scary. Yeah, 9/11 was just a one-time thing, since then there've been NO terrorist attacks...except in England...and Spain...and a hotel here or there, nothing important. If Al Gore were president on 9/11 the same people saying it's all a phantasm would be screaming 'Open your eyes to these religious fanatics who hate gays and women!!!!" (Conservatives would still be as they are now, because so many see this in religious-war terms, with justification.) Those with this attitude know nothing about history, nothing about terror cells and Imams in England and Canada and elsewhere, because to accept that this is a unique, centuries-long war that will still be going when we're dead of old age is just too much to accept, for what it implies. So watch "inconic" and "badass" (GOD I hate those terms) movies that mock the idea, because that's all you can handle, mockery in the safety of America, while our goofy president goes overseas to be praised for reading a teleprompter like in the good old days. All is well. It's all just a Bush-imagined plot.

I recall that when THE CRYING GAME got major Oscar nominations here, a British commentator noted that in the UK the movie was waaaaay down on the list of box office for the year, and got no awards. That's because Brits knew the reality of terrorists, while American liberals thought it was all just so fascinating. Limousine Liberals--the term has meaning. Calling people Teabaggers won't make terrorism a fantasy, but if that makes you feel good, then you go right ahead, along with those deep thinkers on the View and MSNBC--yep, it's alllllll just in our minds....

Saying that "all the countries surrounding India were once called British India and hence they are all India" is the HEIGHT of idiocy!
Pakistan is now a separate country from India and thats that. Try telling a Pakistani that he is really "Indian" and see what reaction you get! God Asimov ur dumb

I consider myself liberal, at least socially liberal but somewhat fiscally conservative.
Terrorism is probably never ever ever going to affect you. And that is a FACT!
Heart disease will tho so stop eating facking McD's!

South Park The Movie is, arguably, the greatest satire in film history. I'm not even a South Park fanboy: I've rarely watched the TV show. But the movie works on so many levels of satire that it's hard to keep count. For Harry to say this mysterious 'Four Lions' movie is the best satire since Dr. Strangelove, well, thems big words.

Was going to say, this review was great, but it is set in Sheffield and not London. It didnt do well in England because nobody had heard of it.
I watched the film and loved it. It was a satire on Al Quieda, but also poking fun at attitudes towards Muslim people in Britain.
My Muslim friends found this film hilarious, and I so did I, although they understood the Urdu swear words and say they are about as offensive as you can get.
All in all the film took risks and it worked.

Nice and insensitive from Harry there.
"I mean, think about the terrorist attempts since 9/11. We've had the vaunted Shoe Bomber and the Exploding Underwear Man as the biggest headlines."
So the July 7th 2005 bombing of London in which 52 innocent civilians died never happened did it? I forgot that something is only a real tragedy if it happens on America's doorstep.